These days, it is all too common that we hear about atrocities inflicted on children, not just in far off places but indeed here in our own communities. Simply turn on the computer, TV or listen to the radio and, sadly, stories of murder/suicides, abductions, bullying and other forms of sexual violence seem to be in the headlines. "I can't change the world, but I can change my corner of it" is a motivating phrase for many of us when the odds seem stacked against us. In our "corner," some of our notable milestones in 2010 are highlighted here.
MACA is extremely proud to have earned national accreditation by the National Children's Alliance (NCA). That means we have met the national standard for what a state chapter should be doing. Other NCA membership news: The Kid's Place in Pittsfield was re-accredited and the Norfolk Advocates for Children in Foxborough "graduated" from associate to accredited status. We gained new strong allies during the budget battle and we strengthened our message that underscored the critical importance of CACs and other victim centered, comprehensive and coordinated services during fiscally tough times and the ethical and moral responsibility we all have to our most vulnerable citizens. Our methodology and coordinated service delivery, in fact, actually saves taxpayer dollars now and in the future.
The new year promises to be an exciting one as well. One of the projects for the coming year will be our Access to Mental Health Initiative. We will be working with membership and our partner agencies to ensure that specialized mental health services are accessible to all children served by our CACs. Also, we will be working with Ted Cross, a dedicated member of the MACA Board of Directors and national CAC researcher, and the Boston Area Rape Crisis center (BARCC) on a project which will articulate the broad impact of CAC services on the lives of child victims here in Massachusetts.
Until we can change the headlines and achieve our vision of a world where children are free from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect and where all children are treated with dignity and respect, we will continue to work in our corner of the world, a corner that has grown as we have increased our numbers of supporters and partners. We will continue our dedicated efforts to ensure that children in need have access to the high quality, comprehensive, specialized and culturally competent services of a Children's Advocacy Center. On behalf of the Massachusetts Children's Alliance, its Board of Directors, staff and members I wish you a peaceful and healthy New Year.
~Tom
